How Much Do Employees Need to Know?

Many of us have been with a company that seems disorganized. The executive office doors are closed and the employees feel as though they’re being told to do things for reasons unknown to them. The employees develop feelings of angst toward the company, become unmotivated and eventually decide to leave. This seems to be a growing problem in the corporate world today with people wearing more hats and having more responsibilities. They forget about something that can make or break their company: communication to employees.

When employers do not communicate to the employees what they are doing and why things are changing, people only assume the worst. When employees assume the worst, rumors start which then turn into outrageous claims. These claims start to worry everyone and then the entire body of employees is on edge and waiting for the news to drop that they’re all being fired. If employers communicated why they are making changes or why they are cutting back on the budget, it would create a more consistent line of thinking throughout the organization.

For employees, it helps to see why something is changing. Even if they don’t like it, it eliminates the fear of the worst. And if they don’t like it, they can organize their thoughts on the issue to present in the open as opposed to having to fear for their jobs. Open communication takes the pressure off of employees and lets them worry about their job. Even if it seems unnecessary, communication with employees also creates a sense of trust in that they feel their employer is being honest with them.

Unsolicited from the employees, this open transparency will create a uniform sense of purpose throughout the organization. With everyone on the same page, everyone will have the same sense of urgency and a shared purpose. With everyone on the same team fighting for the same purpose, the organization will grow.

Even if it seems unnecessary, communication with employees creates a sense of trust and consistency while eliminating rumors and assumptions that hurt the company.